Anthrax is widely known mostly because of the Sverdlovsk Incident and the American 2001 Anthrax Attacks. The truth is, however, that Anthrax is actually exceedingly rare and that in annual reports seldom over 25 fatalities due to Anthrax are reported. When man-caused release of Anthrax occurs, it always make up a large portion of that year's fatality total. Therefore the primary concern of the global community regarding Anthrax is an intentional release by one group/nation or another. Given the relative ease with which one can cultivate Anthrax spores and the hardiness of the strain itself, Anthrax is an attractive choice for bio terrorism.
As a testament to the viability of Anthrax, Aum Shinrikyo, the Japanese terrorist group responsible for the 1995 terrorist gas attacks on Tokyo subway lines first looked at Anthrax for their attacks but failed to cultivate it properly due to poor equipment and environment.
As technology improves and becomes more readily available, it is very likely that terrorist groups and rogue nations will attempt to utilize the potency of anthrax for their ends.
That said, vaccinations and drugs designed to combat Anthrax will definately also improve. However, it is likely in the future that serious development of medicines to combat Anthrax will only begin after there has been another serious Anthrax attack in the world as is the human tendency for reactive measures rather than premptive actions.
In the Future...
Anthrax is widely known mostly because of the Sverdlovsk Incident and the American 2001 Anthrax Attacks. The truth is, however, that Anthrax is actually exceedingly rare and that in annual reports seldom over 25 fatalities due to Anthrax are reported. When man-caused release of Anthrax occurs, it always make up a large portion of that year's fatality total. Therefore the primary concern of the global community regarding Anthrax is an intentional release by one group/nation or another. Given the relative ease with which one can cultivate Anthrax spores and the hardiness of the strain itself, Anthrax is an attractive choice for bio terrorism.As a testament to the viability of Anthrax, Aum Shinrikyo, the Japanese terrorist group responsible for the 1995 terrorist gas attacks on Tokyo subway lines first looked at Anthrax for their attacks but failed to cultivate it properly due to poor equipment and environment.
As technology improves and becomes more readily available, it is very likely that terrorist groups and rogue nations will attempt to utilize the potency of anthrax for their ends.
That said, vaccinations and drugs designed to combat Anthrax will definately also improve. However, it is likely in the future that serious development of medicines to combat Anthrax will only begin after there has been another serious Anthrax attack in the world as is the human tendency for reactive measures rather than premptive actions.
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